"Why did the Black Panther Party emerge during Civil Rights Movement and what were they able or unable to accomplish, in their battle for social change?"
In the 1960s, a fight for the social rights of minorities began with the Civil Rights Movement. In contrast to the non-violent protest of Martin Luther King Jr., the Black Panther Party chose an approach revolving around self-defense and self-reliance. The Black Panther party was formed in 1966 in Oakland, California by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale. Huey Newton was an African American activist who dealt with problems with the law during his lifetime. Throughout his lifetime he was influenced by Malcolm X to fight for change in society. Pursuing his education at Merritt University he met Bobby Seale. “The two were briefly involved with political groups at the school before they set out to create one of their own” which was the Black Panther Party. [1] As they witnessed discrimination and hatred towards the African Americans they felt that they needed a major change. Seeing slow progress from other activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. they felt that a new approach was needed. A violent approach was the solutions to this dilemma. “With their black berets and leather jackets and their commitment to armed self-defense, the Panthers became role models to some while scaring others.”[2] They became role models to some because people saw that they were standing up for their rights and showed no fear towards the government. Unlike the federal government the Black Panther Party provided help to the African American community in the form of survival programs. These programs revealed a positive side to the Panthers, but it was unable to overcome its initial negative portrayal by the media.
Thesis: The Black Panther Party rose to action during the Civil Rights Movement in order to lead a more aggressive fight for social change. Instead of utilizing nonviolence as a protest tool, the BPP took up guns for self-defense and preached self-reliance. Although the BPP was well-known for appearing more violent, they also started and maintained a number of survival programs. These survival programs helped to educate and aid the African American community and the needy. However, their main goal, which was allowing the African American community to be self-sustaining, went unrealized.
In the 1960s, a fight for the social rights of minorities began with the Civil Rights Movement. In contrast to the non-violent protest of Martin Luther King Jr., the Black Panther Party chose an approach revolving around self-defense and self-reliance. The Black Panther party was formed in 1966 in Oakland, California by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale. Huey Newton was an African American activist who dealt with problems with the law during his lifetime. Throughout his lifetime he was influenced by Malcolm X to fight for change in society. Pursuing his education at Merritt University he met Bobby Seale. “The two were briefly involved with political groups at the school before they set out to create one of their own” which was the Black Panther Party. [1] As they witnessed discrimination and hatred towards the African Americans they felt that they needed a major change. Seeing slow progress from other activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. they felt that a new approach was needed. A violent approach was the solutions to this dilemma. “With their black berets and leather jackets and their commitment to armed self-defense, the Panthers became role models to some while scaring others.”[2] They became role models to some because people saw that they were standing up for their rights and showed no fear towards the government. Unlike the federal government the Black Panther Party provided help to the African American community in the form of survival programs. These programs revealed a positive side to the Panthers, but it was unable to overcome its initial negative portrayal by the media.
Thesis: The Black Panther Party rose to action during the Civil Rights Movement in order to lead a more aggressive fight for social change. Instead of utilizing nonviolence as a protest tool, the BPP took up guns for self-defense and preached self-reliance. Although the BPP was well-known for appearing more violent, they also started and maintained a number of survival programs. These survival programs helped to educate and aid the African American community and the needy. However, their main goal, which was allowing the African American community to be self-sustaining, went unrealized.
[1] “Huey P. Newton Biography” Last Accessed December 16, 2013 <http://www.biography.com/people/huey-p-newton-37369>
[2] "Black Panther Legacy" Accessed December 10, 2013. <http://www.blackpanther.org/legacynew.htm>
[2] "Black Panther Legacy" Accessed December 10, 2013. <http://www.blackpanther.org/legacynew.htm>